IBM and Linux challenge Microsoft

TechWeb: "[Linux] may turn out to be the lingua franca of the [computer] industry. It powers everything from cluster computing to Web servers, and it does so with full customizability and proven reliability. Even more important, because it's open source, no single company can use it to wield monopolistic power against the rest. Linux helps creates a level playing field. Although by no means the only company to embrace Linux, IBM has long been a staunch supporter of the open-source OS, and has even announced a mainframe version. IBM's support has also helped legitimize Linux for users and other vendors." Read more here.